Two mad-cap co-workers who love history, genealogy, and the occasional walk through a cemetery.

22 February 2011

Tombstone Tuesday--Metal Stones

I know I say that a lot of things about cemeteries are my favorite, but I do love metal "stones", or rather the monuments made of zinc.

A prime example is this monument for Andrew A Heath, from Crandell Cemetery. Even though he died in 1876, the stone is crisp and easy to read. None of the detailing has eroded away. Even the corners and edges are still sharp. Usually it is clear to see that the personal information is on a separate plaque that is bolted on to the main monument. But Heath's stone seems to be made in front and back halves, and there is not apparent section bolted on, even though the personalization is on an inset area.

On the Ames stone, for Eliza A. Ames, who died on 22 November 1904, it is clear to see that the section on her life is a separate plaque. The bolts are on each lower corner and on the top. The large name on the base however must be cast with the rest of the marker. This shows another thing I like about zinc monuments. There is virtually no discoloration on this monument.

This is my own zinc monument. Or rather, my family monument. This side has the information for my second greatgrandfather, Jonathan Stiver. Again the personal information is on a separate bolted on plaque.

Nice and clear. And while GGGrandma Maria's information is not on the stone, (she died 8 years later) there are placeholder plaques on the other sides. Why I neglected to take pictures of all three of the other sides, I at least got these two pictures.

Excuse the crazy angle. I swear we were only giddy at finding his stone. On this side the plaque showed a cross with a wreath of flowers draped over it.

And on the back side above the family name a sheaf of wheat was depicted. I notice that the picture above the plaque was different on each of the three sides I have pictured as well. It is amusing that even on these zinc "stones" the base is molded to look like granite. Even though they are are not really stone, these monuments have staying power. I do wish there were more of them.